Sports
Bayport Resident Finishes First in Annual Cohalan 4-Mile Fun Run
Several Bayport-Blue Point residents participated in this year's Fun Run, which kicked off Sayville's Summerfest Saturday morning.
Saturday morning was a productive one for several Bayport and Blue Point residents who participated in the Honorable John Cohalan 4-Mile Fun Run and Kids' Fun Run.
Billy Holl of Bayport finished first at 21:02 in the fun run, an annual event held in honor of former State Supreme Court Justice and Islip Town Supervisor John P. Cohalan; this was the fourth and final race of the 2010 Sayville Summer Series.
Runners assembled at the starting line near Sayville Running Company and took off through the streets of Sayville when the gun went off at 9:20 a.m.
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After the race, runners relaxed in the Common Ground and enjoyed the sounds of the Jeff Regan Band while enjoying complimentary massages from Long Island Sports Rehabilitation. Volunteers from the Pilot Club distributed fresh fruit, water and bagels to runners to help them recharge.
Runner Kathy Collins, a resident of Bayport, ran the race with friends and finally met her training goal. She said her favorite part of the race was "running by the houses and taking a peek at the gardens as I go by."
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Finding a trainer partner allowed Cathie Harris of Blue Point, who said she is fairly new to running, to stay on task. Harris started training in November at Sayville Fitness and partnered up with Alicia Cobb, of Bayport, to train. Cobb and Harris bonded quickly and kept each other motivated to run.
"It felt awesome to finish, and to even do four miles," added Cobb, a teacher who brings her running gear to school to teach her class about exercise. "Cathie's fun to run with. She keeps me entertained."
Race organizer Mike Nolan of the Sayville Running Company estimated that between 400 and 500 runners participated in Saturday's race. Nolan said that runners broke records on Saturday morning, finishing with times that were 20 to 30 seconds faster than last year's times.
The first, second, and third place winners of the Summer Series took home cash prizes. Although Bayport and Blue Point participants did not win cash prizes, Harris said completing the run gave her a renewed sense of self confidence.
"This was the ninth time I ran 4 miles in my life," said Harris. "I ran under a 10 minute mile. It was wonderful. It felt great that I could accomplish this. You feel like you could do anything."
